How do I make rubber for handles?

E

Eriksen

Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
180
Are there any diy rubber making kits on the web which can be used for knife handles?

Or is it possible to remelt old rubber without damage the strength of it?
 
Hmm not sure about your question but have you looked into using neoprene? Some supply houses carry it.
 
True rubber can not be melted - it will soften, then char. Obtaining and processing the raw materials is probably out of the scope of the DIYer.

There are elastomers that can be melted, but they would make a poor knife handle. There are polyurethane elastomers that chemically crosslink that a DIY could use, but they wouldn't be as good as regular old neoprene etc.

I recommend buying thick rubber sheet and shaping it.
 
There's a product that's a dip. I don't know the name or where to get it, just remember seeing it somewhere. You just dip it in the can and it comes out with a layer on it. It's kinda like the rubber handles on pliers, channel locks, etc. If I remember right it comes in several colors. I'll try to find out more and post here.
 
you could make slabs out of sheet rubber for a full or framed tang knife, or if you have rubber round/square stock you could treat it like you would handling a stick tang knife... dipping and melting are not the best methods for this application unless your trying to do a rust preventative step. then clear coat paint is probably a better product to use.

Jason
 
I've got some Horse Stall Mat at the house waiting to make a knife for. I've seen a few different makers use it. Seems like good stuff. North Coast Knives did have some.

Charlie
 
I found it, Grizzly Industries has it. It's called Plastidip, it comes in black and red, and they also have a kit with 5 tints for mixing you own colors. If you try it let me know how it works out.
 
He's in Norway guys..... I can't think of anything you'd have locally that would be a rubber sheet like we have horse stall matting, perhaps some anti-fatigue matting from a factory?

I've tried to make a formed rubber handle for a knife... umm :eek: don't do it.
 
I have used conveyor belt from a bailing unit. It's layered rubber and fabric. As for forming a handle around a tang... I see guys wrapping strips of epoxy soaked fabric around a tang to make a formed micarta handle.... pretty cool.


Rick
 
jll346 said:
That wouldn't last a week on a knife handle that was being used often. That stuff is not very durable.
Click to expand...

It is also vinyl based (like a shower curtain), so it isn't very grippy or strong compared to real rubber.

Actually, something Rick said sounds like a great idea. A section of something like a non cogged V belt or flat belt or similar might work.
 
I wonder if the large lugs found on some agressive truck tires would work out as handle materials?
 
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